Couple fights on board, Bangkok flight turns to Delhi

An argument between a couple led to the diversion of a Munich-Bangkok Lufthansa flight to Delhi on Wednesday following which they were deboarded, official sources said.

The Lufthansa flight number LH772 landed at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport at 10.26 am after the pilots contacted the ATC informing them about a 'situation and possible unruly passenger'.

An argument between a couple -- a German man and his Thai wife -- led to some problems on board the Lufthansa flight following which it sought permission to land at IGI, which was allowed, the sources said.

An official said the wife had first complained about her husband's behaviour to the pilot, saying she was being 'threatened' by him and sought intervention.

Lufthansa, in a statement, said the flight was diverted to Delhi due to an unruly passenger on board.

"The person in question was handed over to authorities. The flight to Bangkok is expected to continue subsequently with minor delays. Safety and security on board for our passengers and crew is our top priority," the German airline said.

According to sources, the 53-year German passenger allegedly 'threw food, tried to burn a blanket using a lighter, shouted at his wife and did not follow the instructions issued by the crew' and hence the pilot diverted the flight and he was later offloaded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

The wife was travelling on a different PNR ticket and she desired to continue her journey to Bangkok, they said.

The airline, as per the sources, is also coordinating with the German embassy in New Delhi.

A decision to either hand over the alleged unruly passenger to Delhi Police or consider his apology and send him back to Germany on another flight is pending, sources said.

The situation is developing and the CISF security personnel, flight crew and other staffers are in the terminal area. The flight may take off in some time for its scheduled destination, they added.